%0 Journal Article %A Hans, Jörg %A Bergl, Richard A. %A Vigilant, Linda %+ Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society The Leipzig School of Human Origins (IMPRS), Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society %T Gorilla MHC class I gene and sequence variation in a comparative context : %G eng %U https://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-002C-CF02-0 %R 10.1007/s00251-017-0974-x %7 2017-03-22 %D 2017 %* Review method: peer-reviewed %X Comparisons of MHC gene content and diversity among closely related species can provide insights into the evolutionary mechanisms shaping immune system variation. After chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas are humans’ closest living relatives; but in contrast, relatively little is known about the structure and variation of gorilla MHC class I genes (Gogo). Here, we combined long-range amplifications and long-read sequencing technology to analyze full-length MHC class I genes in 35 gorillas. We obtained 50 full-length genomic sequences corresponding to 15 Gogo-A alleles, 4 Gogo-Oko alleles, 21 Gogo-B alleles, and 10 Gogo-C alleles including 19 novel coding region sequences. We identified two previously undetected MHC class I genes related to Gogo-A and Gogo-B, respectively, thereby illustrating the potential of this approach for efficient and highly accurate MHC genotyping. Consistent with their phylogenetic position within the hominid family, individual gorilla MHC haplotypes share characteristics with humans and chimpanzees as well as orangutans suggesting a complex history of the MHC class I genes in humans and the great apes. However, the overall MHC class I diversity appears to be low further supporting the hypothesis that gorillas might have experienced a reduction of their MHC repertoire. %K MHC genotyping PacBio Next-generation sequencing Gogo Haplotypes Evolution %J Immunogenetics %V 69 %N 5 %& 303 %P 303 - 323 %I Springer-Verlag %C Heidelberg %@ 0093-7711